A Bond woman who isn’t afraid to speak the truth

Harsh truths: Dame Helen’s comments reflect how most women really feel about beauty products

God bless Dame Helen Mirren, whom I think would make a dashing James Bond, even if she reckons that at 72, she’s too old. This was the week that the actress, an ambassador for L’oréal, announced to the world that moisturiser “probably does f--- all”. Her comments have caused much controversy with some people calling it her Gerald Ratner moment, after the businessman who called his jewellery “crap”.

But what Mirren has done is different. She made the remarks while sitting on a L’oréal panel and what she said has been taken slightly out of context. “I’m not setting standards for others. All I can do is be who I am. I’ve always loved make-up. I’m an eternal optimist – I know that when I put my moisturiser on it probably does f--- all, but it just makes me feel better. I’ve always said to L’oréal as well that I will only do what makes me feel better.”

And therein lies the truth. Most women couldn’t give a mascara wand for the science behind their favourite day and night creams – what they really like is the texture, the smell, and the luxurious feeling of process behind it. In Mirren, L’oréal have an ambassador who only makes me want to buy their products more.